Continental Airlines’ Executive Chef, Shashi Sanamvenkata, dreamed of becoming an engineer like his 3 brothers back home in India, but the household also had a different influence, that of the aroma and wonderful cooking from his mother. Realizing that he had a knack for creative cooking that brought praise from family and friends, Chef Sanamvenkata embarked upon this fulfilling and rewarding career path.
Today, as the executive chef at Continental Airlines, Chef Sanamvenkata coordinates the meal plans for the vast armada of travelers all over the world. Chef Sanamvenkata has a unique perspective on how to maintain the right balance between budget requirements and the joy of presenting delightful food at 30,000 ft.
This year at Expo Comida Latina and All Asia Food, Chef Shashi Sanamvenkata will present authentic cuisine served during in-flights to Europe, Asia, India and other Latin destinations. Learn how he has mastered the challenges that exist with in-flight dining without compromising quality and authenticity.
Chef Sanamvenkata provides tips to fellow executive in-flight chefs including:
1. Most important is the team. You have to focus on constant training and motivating so they can be aware of the latest trends.
2. Don’t compromise on quality - cutting corners will impact business in the long run.
3. Last and most important, watch the market and look out for what’s out there such as new products and eating trends. Today, food is like fashion. It’s not always the same.
In addition to Chef Sanamvenkata, attendees can see, hear, and taste some of the fabulous recipes created by some of the premiere chefs like Chef LaLa, one of the top healthy fusion advocates.
New for the 2008 event is an expanded education program featuring retail and foodservice tracks to help buyers uncover effective solutions to stand up against competition in today’s market, and bring in customers.
A two-part session on day one, moderated by Kevin Coupe of MorningNewsBeat.com, will bring retailers together with multigenerational consumers in a roundtable discussion on the shift in buying habits from foreign-born Hispanics and Asians to the second and third generation. Other sessions will focus on merchandising, Hispanic bakery trends, and product trends across categories.
On Monday, October 13th at the close of the show, Expo Comida Latina and All Asia Food will host its first-ever Welcome Event which will be open to all registrants and press outside the show floor. The event, sponsored by Promexico, Continental Airlines, Comerica Bank, Bakemark and Trigal Dorado, will feature live entertainment with a cultural flair, food and drink, networking time and a special presentation of a lifetime achievement award to Marilyn Tausend, author and culinary guide, for her accomplishments, influence and impact on Mexican-American culinary professionals’
Expo Comida Latina and All Asia Food Los Angeles will feature more than 350 booths of products and expects more than 4000 national and regional retailers, distributors, manufacturers, foodservice professionals and suppliers to come to this two-day event.
Working journalists are invited to attend the trade show and conference at no charge. To register please visit www.expo-comida-
About Expo Comida Latina
Expo Comida Latina was launched in Los Angeles in 2002 as the first-ever business event for the Hispanic food and beverage market. Expo Comida Latina is now firmly established as a leading resource for the Hispanic food and beverage industry, where foodservice and retail buyers can explore new authentic Latin products from suppliers throughout the Americas. For more news and information on Expo Comida Latina in Los Angeles and Chicago, visit: www.expocomidalatina.com.
About All Asia Food Expo
All Asia Food is the only exposition series to exclusively spotlight the rapidly growing U.S. market for Asian food and beverages. Propelled by the growth of the Asian American population and spurred by a passion for Asian cuisine among citizens of all ethnicities, the market—both in the foodservice and retail sectors—has reached more than $5 Billion per year in U.S. sales. For more information on the All Asia Food event in Los Angeles and Chicago, visit www.allasiafood.com.
About Diversified Business Communications
Experts in bringing cutting-edge information and buying opportunities to food professionals, Diversified Business Communications produces over 20 food exhibitions, including All Things Organic, Kosherfest, and the International Boston Seafood Show; and trade publications for the food industry worldwide, including Comida News and All Asia Food News, on-line publications featuring the latest news and information critical to food industry professionals looking to navigate changes and maximize opportunities in North America’s dynamic food industry (www.divbusiness.com)
